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Essex Senior League Preview: The Clubs

Essex Senior League Preview: The Clubs

Michael Woods6 Jun 2022 - 08:31
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Part 10: Redbridge

Some of the clubs in membership of the Essex Senior League will be new to Romford next season, but Redbridge are definitely not one of them as Boro have played The Motormen many times, under both their current name, and their previous one of Ford United.

Brief History:

Redbridge began life in 1959 as Ford United following the merger between Ford Sports (Dagenham) and Briggs Sports, and were founder members, and inaugural champions, of the Aetolian League in 1959-60. The Aetolian League merged with the London League in 1964 and in 1971, Ford United were champions of the new, Greater London League. The club then spent three years in the Metropolitan League before joining the Essex Senior League, which they won in 1992 and 1997.

Having moved from Rush Green to Oakside in Barkingside, Ford United advanced through the Isthmian League to reach the Premier Division in 2003. In 2004, they changed their name to Redbridge and were founder members of Conference South, although they lasted just one season, finishing bottom. They were relegated from the Isthmian Premier the following season, and then spent ten seasons in Isthmian North before finishing bottom in 2016 and being relegated to the Essex Senior League, where they remain.

Previous Meetings:

Romford have met Ford United/Redbridge 37 times since 1992, with Boro winning 20 of those games and losing 11. The first meeting between the sides was in Boro’s debut Essex Senior League season when a crowd of 249 saw a 0-0 draw at Rush Green. The last occasion on which the sides met was in 2016, and on that occasion a crowd of 109 saw Boro win 6-1 on a very muddy Oakside pitch.

Last Season:

Redbridge finished 3rd in 2021-22, their best finish since returning to the Essex Senior League, and ended the campaign just two points behind runners-up Saffron Walden Town. In the Errington Challenge Cup, Redbridge went out on penalties at Stansted in the First Round, but they were more successful in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy in which they beat Southend Manor, Walthamstow, and Stansted en route to the Final in which they beat Stanway Rovers 2-0.

In the FA Cup, Redbridge fell at the first hurdle, beaten 2-1 at home by Ilford, while in the FA Vase they beat Hadleigh United in the 2nd Qualifying Round, but then lost at Newmarket Town.

Leading scorer for The Motormen last season was Ibrahim Kehinde, who bagged 24 goals in all competitions.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

Redbridge play their home games at the Oakside Stadium, Station Road, Barkingside IG6 1NB. Most Boro fans will have been there many times, so reminding you how to get there is probably a bit redundant, but the simplest route is along the A12 from Romford to Newbury Park, then turn right into Horns Road and right into Craven Gardens, then immediately right into Carlton Road, then straight across the roundabout into Station Road, over railway bridge and the ground is on left. There is a good size car park at the ground.
Barkingside Station (Central Line) is adjacent to the ground and buses 247 and 169 run close to the ground.

Website:
https://www.redbridgefc.co.uk/

Twitter:
@TheMotormen

Further reading